The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1887-10-27
THE NEW AND OLD SOUTH.
A Review of Pages Popular Book 81
Ole yirginia.c
Especial Cor. STATE CHRoNICLE.l

ISPtCldI tOI = lAiE T. SHkoNlCLE.J
Suffer us to say that we are somewhat
wearied with the New South" a little
dazed perhaps by the metallic lustre of
material prosperity so persistentiy, even
peremptorily flashed into our face.
lagos PUT MONEY IN THY PURSE is he
watch word of this New South school; the
spirit of Its philosophy seems to squint to-
wards the doctrine that the jingling of the
guinea helps the hurt that honor feels.
Now higher authority than the pacific
politician, yea even higher than the auto
crat of hebdomadal omniscienoe even
though he be under the delphio inspiration
of immense dining and wining, has taught
Us that mans life consistent not in the
abundance of the things which he poss-
esSeth.
Moreover, there is in this glorifcaton
of the New South, this late gospel of the
Almighty Dollar an undertone. to our
feelings, rresistibly suggestive of implicit
reproach to the Old South; a suggestion
bitter to our soul, one which makes us sad
when we remember our dead and in the
same impulse very nearly ashamed when
we hear our living.
This feeling, nay even weakness if you
prefer to call it such, prepares us all the
more heartily to enjoy such book as ''In
Ole Virginia" The work is really a page
of unwrtten history; given to the public
in each instance through the lips of some
old family servant. The hero, under vary
ing name and circumstance, remains the
same; the typical Southern gentleman,
careless, Needless, happy, brave, courte-
Gus. chivalrous: the old servants young
Master" incarnate manly perfection
The characteristics of the chief speaker
give large play to pathos, humor, planta
ton philosophy, and even poetry for here
and there CLEANS a genuine jewel amid the
rubbish of negro dialect. Mr.. Page has
used this plastic medium with a skill bor-
dering very closely on positive genius; the
relations of master and slave wear their
gentle,t aspect to the increasing credit, we
believe, of both parties; mutual respect,
loyalty and love shine through every in
cident, illumine and grace many an eNi-
gency of sore trial and redeem some of the
saddest with sweetness which renders
them as beautiful as they are touching.
The predominant characteristic Of the
narratives is a simple, natural and pro-
found pathos, so that few will fail to pay
Mr.. Pages power the spontaneous tribute
of misty eye, as these faithful friends Of
our childhood carry us so vividly through
| the dark, dark days, in which their con
spicuous fidelity was at once the stay of ou1
homes and the irresistible answer to the
bitter and baseless charges of cruelty con-
stantly preferred against us.
The predominance of dialect stories in
this department of literature is something
so constant as to be characteristic. II
seems to be instructive and suggests study
Why is it that the glory and chivalry and
beauty of our dear old So, lh should be
most effectively exhibited through the lips
! of our old slaves? Is there ANYTHING of E
natural nemesis in this? 1t looks verify "a:
if the instruments of our intended humil
iation should speak chiefly to our praise
We purposed giving some specimens O.
| the authors work but conclude to leave
readers the unbroken pleasure of discov
cry. Barring little supertluous profanit,
in one character, they will find nothing tt
offend the most fastidious, and much tina
| will move and charm.
SAMUEL NJ. SMITH
I'm Ole Virginia. by Thomas Nelson Page
Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1887
| Price S125.